Joe Edwards: Young Blues followed first team example

Joe Edwards says his young Chelsea side took inspiration from the example set by the first team, as they strolled to a third FA Youth Cup success in four years.

The Blues retained the trophy they have made their own in recent years after beating Manchester City 2-1 on the night at Stamford Bridge, and 5-2 on aggregate. 

It was not all plain sailing for Chelsea though, as the holders fell behind to an early Kelechi Iheanacho strike. 

But Edwards says his side acted with the confidence and discipline that have become a staple of Jose Mourinho’s champions-in-waiting.

"We’re obviously delighted but also extremely proud because of the way the game panned out," he said. 

"When you fall behind, you’re then asking what character your defenders have got. 

"We watched our first team yesterday put on a bit of a defensive masterclass with John Terry leading the line and I think the boys followed suit.

The most recent FA Youth Cup success follows the club’s recent UEFA Youth League final victory against Shakhtar Donetsk.

(L-R) Isaiah Brown, Dominic Solanke, Kasey Palmer and Jeremie Boga celebrate

It was the first time they have lifted UEFA’s junior version of the Champions League, but they have dominated domestic youth football in recent years.

And Edwards says it is down to the work of many at the club's academy with their juniors featuring in the last four Youth Cup Finals and picking up The Cup four times in the last six years.

"It is about the club. It’s a club achievement," he added. 

"These boys do take the lead from the top. The players in the first team set the example and if you’re going to be a Chelsea player you’ve got to be a winner. 

"The way we’re doing it consistently at the moment is all credit to the work that is going on at the academy. 

"It’s not just one team of players, it’s couple of cycles of players now. Winning mentality is key in the modern day game and hopefully we can continue it."

Edwards, who took over as Under-18s coach at the start of the 2014-15 season, also insisted he did not feel any additional pressure to continue the club’s run.

But he said the fact that he has worked with many of the players since they were children certainly helped.

"I felt a bit of a pressure but only the pressure you should feel when you’re representing Chelsea Football Club," he continued. 

"The club needs to be winning and that’s the pressure that’s there. So you face it and take it for what it is. 

"But at the same time, I’ve known a lot of these boys for a number of years now. We’ve got a group of players that have grown up together. 

"To be able to have this achievement with a group of really close friends makes it extra special – so it’s important that they enjoy it and remember that winning feeling."